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A pro-life protest in 2015. RollingNews.ie

Second Dublin hotel cancels pro-life meeting after alleged death threats against staff

Two venues have cancelled the event in the last week.

A PRO-LIFE group is to hold a demonstration outside a Dublin hotel after it became the second venue to cancel an event in the space of a week.

The Spencer Hotel yesterday contacted Unbroken – a group which supports those who gave birth or were born as a result of rape – to tell its members that it had to cancel the event because of threats made to staff.

The Gibson Hotel similarly cancelled Unbroken’s planned meeting last week.

It has been alleged that staff members received death threats online after it emerged the Spencer Hotel was to host the event after The Gibson cancelled. A complaint has not yet been made to gardaí over the incident but TheJournal.ie has been made aware of the specific nature of the threats.

Unbroken spokeswoman Ciara Murphy told TheJournal.ie that she was “disgusted” when she heard about the cancellation.

“They have cancelled it because of threats… Yesterday, the hotel got in touch and said that they have to put the safety of its staff first. Last week, the Gibson cancelled.

But we are organising a demonstration outside the Spencer Hotel tonight where these women will speak about their experiences. These ladies can’t be silenced.

Laura Ní Chonghaile of Unbroken Ireland, who is a rape survivor, added that she is “tired of being silenced”.

“There is no place in a democratic debate for this extremism, and for shouting down women who have been raped,” Ní Chonghaile said.

Three women, who are all from the US, were due to speak at the hotel about how they gave birth after being raped or how they were conceived through rape. The organisers said the group’s intent is to break down the stigma of being a child or a mother of rape.

In a statement issued yesterday, Clíona Saidléar of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) said it is “critical” that rape survivors are represented respectfully, factually and without judgement given their diversity and the “potential pain this topic causes”.

She noted that rape survivors have “always featured disproportionately in the public debates on abortion access in Ireland”. She said that “we have limited facts about the approximately 5% of all female rape victims who become pregnant”.

For some years RCNI has released data on the pregnancy outcomes for rape survivors attending rape crisis centres. It is critical to always note that these facts do not tell us about the options, intentions, choices and the feelings of rape survivors.

Her statement came in light of two events planned this week. As well as Unbroken’s meeting, the Abortion Rights Campaign held a press conference yesterday ahead of the March for Choice this weekend.

Activist and rape survivor Dominique Meehan, whose rapist was jailed for 12 years in June, attended. She spoke about how the “thought of an unwanted pregnancy” is something all victims deal with, even if they are not pregnant.

“I told my parents that if I’m pregnant we’re going to England. How is that fair for anyone in my situation, knowing that my own government would look at me as a criminal because I couldn’t carry my rapist’s child?” she said.

A referendum on the Eighth Amendment is pencilled in for June or July of next year.

The exact wording of the question to be posed to the electorate has not yet been finalised. Currently, the Committee on the Eighth Amendment is holding weekly meetings to examine the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly. It will provide the Oireachtas with a report in December with a view to informing legislation options.

Earlier this year, the Citizen’s Assembly recommended that the Eighth Amendment should be replaced or amended and that abortion should be legal without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Both the Gibson and Spencer hotels have been contacted for comment. 

Read: A referendum on the Eighth will be shaped by these 22 politicians. Here are their views on abortion >

Read: ‘The assembly has the advantage of not having to address constituents’: Politicians discuss abortion >

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    Mute John Lally
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:34 PM

    They’ll just have to pick up the pieces

    362
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    Mute stevenocarroll
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:06 PM

    @John Lally:

    So Daily Mail reports on immigration and the detrimental effects it has on native Europeans, are not allowed.

    And you wonder why Brexit and Trump happened.

    IMMIGRATION IS THE ISSUE FOR EUROPEANS.

    174
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    Mute R H Beige Lark
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    Nov 12th 2016, 6:33 PM

    @stevenocarroll: I just want you to know that I love feeding you. Racist trolls have an important part of the internet community. They need to be kept alive.

    So it’s immigration to Europe you have an issue with is it? You’re ok with European immigration to Ireland? Just for clarity.. I don’t mind if you want to expand dramatically on that question and get excited, angry and generally abusive. Please do.

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    Mute Rory
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    Nov 12th 2016, 6:58 PM

    They own this news site as well

    14
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    Mute Martin Critten
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    Nov 12th 2016, 7:18 PM

    Think everyone in this debate falls for the simple label ‘immigration’. When it’s Illegal immigration which us the real issue.. As usual the deflection created by the media..

    40
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    Mute R H Beige Lark
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    Nov 12th 2016, 7:57 PM

    @Martin Critten: I think the problem is that people have their own ideas about what they mean by “immigration”, “refugees”, “migrants”, “migration” and the like. So real debate is pretty much impossible. Wait for the fools who start chanting the old mantra “Why can’t we talk about immigration” when that’s all anyone’s been doing for as long as there has been immigration. Certainly much of the media directs discourse about it by choosing its terminology well.

    6
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    Mute Cormac Harrington
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:21 PM

    I like Lego even more now.

    353
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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Nov 12th 2016, 7:57 PM

    Lego should know all about love/hate. It has the ability to swing from one of the most loved toys in the world, in a split second to the most hated, all because of one misplaced barefooted step.

    73
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:35 PM

    Perhaps Aer Lingus’s new owner BA could stop handing the Daily Mail out as their approved complimentary newspaper…

    204
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    Mute Mr. G
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:27 PM

    BA does not own Aer Lingus

    20
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    Mute njh
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:51 PM

    IAG owns Aer Lingus. IAG was the name change after British Airways acquired Iberia.

    45
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    Mute Mr. G
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    Nov 12th 2016, 5:06 PM

    Exactly. IAG own Aer Lingus. Not BA. IAG was formed when BA and Iberian merged.

    13
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    Mute Ciaran O Shea
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    Nov 12th 2016, 5:35 PM

    Aer Lingus owns BA, same logic

    17
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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Nov 12th 2016, 5:55 PM

    As a BA employee I can confirm BA do not own Aer Lingus. IAG do.

    A holding company was created with totally separate management from the incorporated airlines and it calls the shots.

    But yes, I too would like the daily hate removed from the aircraft!

    43
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    Mute Conor Jugh
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:07 PM

    ” Stop Funding Hate has urged firms to stop advertising with some papers over their “divisive” coverage of migrants.” That’s the BBC report. This campaign is trying to force firms to cut ties with other organisations who have different political opinions to theirs. As we all know, ‘hate’ is an extremely subjective term and gets thrown at anyone who may disagree with the liberal orthodox opinions . It’s not a good sign that this campaign is successful in accomplishing this (if it turns out that it is truly responsible). If your company doesn’t bend to the campaigns wishes I imagine you’re labelled as some kind of ‘hate’ company, which is bad for business. Yes the Daily Mail is rubbish, but companies should be able to advertise where they want.

    128
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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    Nov 12th 2016, 5:29 PM

    @Conor Jugh: so we should buy goods from companies regardless of their direct or indirect impact on social, environmental or political issues?

    24
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    Mute Joan Ryan
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    Nov 12th 2016, 6:04 PM

    @Conor Jugh: ” companies should be able advertise where they want ”
    Lego are just excercising that exact right. They also are excercising the right to explain the though behind that decision.
    You can choose to buy whatever newspaper you like, and whether or not to buy Lego.
    You, Lego and the Daily Mail are responsible for your own decisions.

    24
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    Mute Declan Brady
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:29 PM

    BRILLIANT NEWS

    107
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    Mute Mr. Éirxit!
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:56 PM

    The “Stop Hate Campaign” is so overtly anti-free press that it’s funny. Lefties will shut down all outlets that disagree with them but then argue that they’re pro-free expression. The obliviousness is astounding

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    Mute JFN
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:57 PM

    Nice try troll

    49
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:59 PM

    Being anti free press is campaigning to end freedom of the press. Being anti hate is campaigning to companies to stop advertising in the hate filled daly mail. So you can stop spinning and trolling, you anti logic hermit

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    Mute Mr. Éirxit!
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:00 PM

    @JFN: Oh rats I’ve been foiled. Guess you don’t have to worry about your opinions being challenged anymore now that you’ve outed me as a troll.

    And people wonder why Trump won

    56
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    Mute Mr. Éirxit!
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:04 PM

    @NO 2 FF/FG/LAB: The classic “I believe in free speech but” fallacy. Who defines what is considered “hate” and what right does any campaign ave to dictate where companies advertise? Instead of letting business get on with what they’re doing you actively shame and insult them for supporting “hate”. Just more crybaby liberal nonsense

    51
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    Mute JFN
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:06 PM

    When do “lefties” say they’re pro free expression? Should people like Rupert Murdoch and Dob be allowed to control the media narrative unopposed?

    26
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    Mute Dec
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:25 PM

    @Mr. Éirxit!: its only to slam the “liberal agenda” of anti hate, if you agree with the hate. people say the left are sheep. it might be true in some cases but the right are just as bad.
    i don’t blame people for complaining about that hopkins bird on the late late.
    she’s a professional troll, not for what she says but the way she says it.
    i wonder if people would be alright with the likes of willie fraser been on the late late or making money of the media.
    or does it only count if you agree with them wether your on the right or the left…?

    15
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    Mute stevenocarroll
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:09 PM

    @Dec:

    I am glad about this disguised anti-hate HATE against native Europeans campaign, it will bolster native European resistance.

    21
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    Mute Poole Hyde
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:13 PM

    Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.” ― Winston S. Churchill.

    24
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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Nov 12th 2016, 5:51 PM

    Oh look. The far right trying to defend themselves. Naughty froggy. No more flies for you.

    9
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    Mute Kevin C.
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    Nov 13th 2016, 9:39 AM

    @Mr. Éirxit!: Please stop bringing terrible American terminology here. It’s divisive and counter productive.

    There are far more than 2 “sides” – don’t be so tribal. Do you want Ireland to become as divided as the US?

    1
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    Mute The_Techno_Mage
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:25 PM

    It’s Lego’s company, they can do what they want with it.

    It’s also The Daily Mail’s newspaper. They can be free to print whatever they want.

    69
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:52 PM

    Can I ask a serious question?

    When these far left liberal start campaigns trying to silence people they don’t agree with or call ‘hate speech’ aren’t they just helping them? Don’t they just play victim, claim the media has a bias against them and a liberal agenda, it’s all a conspiracy and ultimately garner a bigger undercurrent support.

    Is it not better to just let them have their say, write rebuttals to let them know we don’t agree and think they’re disgusting people.

    67
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    Mute JFN
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:00 PM

    They’re not silencing the DM, they’re just lobbying Lego. Why is it rich businessmen like Rupert Murdoch and DOB can try control the media narrative, but when ordinary people do, they’re referred to as far left liberals who oppose free speech. Who’s speech does the DM really represent? Murdoch

    96
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    Mute Conor Jugh
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:11 PM

    I wonder, however, if Lego refused their lobbying to cut ties, would the campaign label Lego as some kind of ‘hate company’ or a ‘sponsor of hate’. If that would be the outcome, as it often is with politically driven campaigns, Lego didn’t really have a choice lest they be labelled ‘hate’ this or ‘hate’ that.

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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:31 PM

    It’s actually widely speculated that Murdoch isn’t nearly as right wing as his media holdings would lead people to believe… he simply spotted a gap in the market for news that appeals to infotainment that appealed to the simpleminded and conservative folk and Fox News was born… it’s all about the $$$

    21
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    Mute Kevin C.
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    Nov 13th 2016, 9:36 AM

    @Drew TheChinaman :):

    Best question in this thread. Are you sure you understand what oline comments are for. Certainly not for reasonable discussion :)

    I hat the Daily Mail, but take on it is that your worry is completely valid. What is the difference between censorship and activism. Here, the daily mail is being targeted for ‘hate speech’ which is very subjective.

    However, they should be targeted for inaccurate reporting and publishing tiny retractions. The Daily Mail is hardly worthy of the title newspaper.

    I think all opinions, no matter how disgusting, should be allowed to be aired, but that doesn’t mean they’re all equally valid, nor does it mean they’re should be allowed to be out on the front page of a newspaper. There’s a reason we have opinion pieces in newspapers.

    I think of the Daily Mail was more accurate and reasonable then that would contribute more to a healthier political discussion while still offering different viewpoints.

    Thanks.

    1
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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:30 PM

    Their statement doesn’t exactly say it stopped advertising with the paper because of this. Their promotion had finished and they’ve no plans in the future. Not really the same thing.

    67
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    Mute Cormac Laffan
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    Nov 13th 2016, 12:12 AM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: Lego slipped out the side door in style, imperssive.

    8
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    Mute Spiderman
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:36 PM

    LEGO blocks hate

    66
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    Mute Philip King
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:38 PM

    Or you could build a wall with it!

    77
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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:05 PM

    Due to their clear bricks Lego should be designated a terrorist organisation. Anyway, has anyone learned anything from recent events? It seems not. Engage and debate is the way forward. I’m no fan of that rag and I’m sure they won’t be too bothered about the Lego situation but the principle of trying to shut down people’s opinions, no matter how unpalatable they are, doesn’t work. It just drives people into corners underground and the only way you will find out their feelings is from the anonymity of the ballot box. There’s one viral vid out there articulating the problem very well…find Jonathon Pie’s satirical rant about who caused the Trump victory on Facebook. Some people will not like it.

    63
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    Mute Reagan Smash
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    Nov 12th 2016, 2:58 PM

    Liberal facial at it’s finest

    34
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    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:00 PM

    Reagan believed in space lasers to fight the Russians, he was an etablishment Hollywood actor who was good a fooling gullible people like yourself

    25
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    Mute Emeralds
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:07 PM

    Just to clarify that “believed in space lasers” comment for anyone who doesn’t know…

    He funded a project to develop a missile defence system based in space because his country was threatened by nuclear weapons that travelled through space on their parabola towards America.

    Apparently No2FF thinks it’s better to explode such devices inside our atmosphere rather than outside it

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:20 PM

    Just to clarify the “space lasers” could never distinguish between a MIRV ICBM and and a tinfoil balloon filled with helium but it was still funded with billions of dollars of taxpayers money for many years with no results.

    13
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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Nov 12th 2016, 4:27 PM

    @Reagan Smash:

    The phrase you’re looking for is “liberal fascism”. If you’re looking for a “liberal facial”, go to a beauty salon.

    13
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    Mute glenoir1
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    Nov 12th 2016, 3:13 PM

    Like you even more now

    10
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    Mute Roger Clarke
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    Nov 13th 2016, 12:50 AM

    Good call by Lego. The daily mail may well sell a lot of copies due to its exceptionally biased reporting which may or may not be actually representative of the organisation. However publishing such incendiary content only further licences the mindless to behave in whatever way they choose. The Daily Mail has no place in civilised society, at least not in its current form.

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    Mute Júlio Dinis
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    Nov 23rd 2016, 5:26 PM

    Immediate Market
    http://immediatemarket.com
    The best and cheapest quality products worldwide.

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